“So it happened at last, that she herself contrived the means of expressing her mutual affection, and the gratitude she felt for his prudence and consideration. She found a trusty messenger to convey several letters; and all that Donatello had next to arrange was but to obtain free entrance as a friend into the house of his beautiful inamorata. For the future, then, he took advantage of every occasion to shew the utmost attention and politeness to the old Signor Dimetri; and yet so wisely did he behave, that it was impossible to suspect him of any particular motives. All seemed but the effect of accident; yet he had one attribute, which, though it had aided him more than all the rest with the fair Portia, yet proved the greatest possible hindrance to his designs on her husband. This was his extraordinary grace and beauty of person, without which, being so lively and agreeable a companion, he would doubtless have been invited long since into Dimetri’s house; but though he had given scores of magnificent banquets, to which the old gentleman was invited, yet the latter, being determined to avoid all risks, kept his doors closed, with the utmost obstinacy, against his courteous entertainer. In such banquets the young lover had already spent a considerable share of his fortune, yet never arrived a single step nearer the object of his wishes. At length he fixed his attention on a plan, which he had before often thought of, though it was then more like a dream than reality. This was, that he should contrive to rescue Signor Dimetri from some great apparent danger, by which exploit he might infallibly secure his future confidence and favour. Accordingly he made an agreement with some hired bravoes, who were to attack the old hero unawares in a retired place. As soon, therefore, as Dimetri fell into the snare, Signor Donatello was to rush out against the assassins, who, after a short pretended resistance, would give over, and take to flight. The plot was admirably carried through. Dimetri was fully persuaded that his life had been saved by Donatello, and expressed his gratitude with an air of the utmost gravity and earnestness. But then, his doors remained just as firmly locked as ever; nay, since that adventure, his temper seemed more peevish and capricious than it had been before.